www.chicagocrusader.com
Blacks Must Control Their Own Community
To The Unconquerable Host of Africans Who Are Laying Their Sacrifices Upon The Editorial Altar For Their Race AUDITED BY
•C•P•V•S•
VOLUME LXXIII NUMBER 51—SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2014
PUBLISHED SINCE 1940
25 Cents and worth more
Gresham School still at odds with CPS By J. Coyden Palmer Dozens of supporters of a South Side school rallied around the principal Tuesday morning to tell the Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools they will not allow their building to be taken from them without a fight. During a press conference in a secondgrade classroom, parents, teachers, administrators, and alumni of Walter Q. Gresham School, 8524 S. Green, told the media CPS officials want the building so a charter or contract school can be brought in. Chicago Teachers’ Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis said Gresham is just the latest school in the African-American community to be targeted as a “turnaround school,” which means current administrators and staff will be replaced. Lewis said Chicago has established a distinct pattern when it comes to identifying which schools will be slated for turnaround, and the results afterwards are often as predictable. She said recently rehabbed schools with new infrastructure are often a dead giveaway of what is to come, and that the char(Continued on page 3)
PRINCIPAL DIEDRUS BROWN of Gresham School on the city’s South Side told the media she is not afraid to speak out about how CPS’s intentions are to remove veteran African American teachers from schools so they can be replaced with cheaper, inexperienced teachers. Brown’s school has been slated as a turnaround school by CPS, something Brown and her supporters claim will ruin the school.
Potential grocers eyeing former Dominick’s store By Wendell Hutson At a recent community meeting, South Shore residents learned that a former Dominick’s store at the Jeffery Plaza strip mall has attracted the attention of three grocers interested in taking over the empty space. The Dominick’s closed Dec. 28 as the chain pulled out of the city and suburbs. “It’s about time somebody showed some interest in that place. It sticks out like a sore thumb now that it is vacant,” said Marsha Wells, 56, a South Shore resident for 42 years. “That was my neighborhood store before it closed down. On warm days, I could walk there with my shopping cart. Now, I have to drive outside my neighborhood, and I don’t like it at all.” Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th), whose ward includes the Jeffery Plaza, 7131 S. Jeffery Blvd., told residents at the meeting that she has resumed discussions with potential grocers, such as Ultra Foods and Pe-
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A SHUTTERED DOMINICK’S store at 7131 S. Jeffery Blvd. may not be empty for long if Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th) has her way.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE “A Night of 100 Stars Gala” (See story on page 10 and 11)
The Black Press is still powerful (See story on page 3)
te’s Fresh Market. Officials with Ultra Foods and Pete’s Fresh Market were not available to comment. Hairston said even though the empty store may need about $6 million in upgrades, South Shore would eventually have a new grocer. “I know there are leaks in the roof because you could see it (sic) in the store when you were shopping,” Hairston said. The South Side alderman said she would not rest until she finds a suitable replacement to take over the Dominick’s site, and that she was successful in getting Pete’s Fresh Market to reconsider the site. “I brought them back to the table,” Hairston said. A former neighborhood grocer in Bronzeville also plans to open a store at the Jeffery Plaza, according to Hairston. “I’m going to be pushing for a concept that has a focus on fresh meat and fresh produce,” stated Hairston. “As you can see, there is still interest.” All of this is good news, said Yvette Moyo, (Continued on page 3)
NEWS
Events around the city to highlight Child Abuse Awareness Month By J. Coyden Palmer The disturbing headlines that have permeated newspapers and airwaves in recent weeks of children being injured or killed in instances of child abuse, strike to the core of every reasonable person. In order to bring attention to the problem, April has been declared Child Abuse Awareness Month. The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is an effort to change the way the nation thinks about prevention and how it can deliver on a commitment to America’s children. As the new symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention, the pinwheel is an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve. In the African American community, alleged horror stories of a mother leaving her child alone in a building’s vestibule while she attended a party and another involving the boyfriend of a mother smashing a two-year-old in the head and then dumping the body in the forest preserve have angered many. But what is the community going to do about the problem is the question Rev. Bernard L. Jakes of West Point Missionary Baptist Church, 3566 S. King Drive, is asking. Jakes will use his sermon on Sunday April 6 to talk about the subject. “In our community we have a hard time talking about disturbing topics but it is important that we do so,” Jakes told Crusader last month. “This is a topic that speaks to the im-
morality of humans and is a chance for us to educate many of the young mothers in our community who are leaving their child in the care of unsavory characters.” Organizations like the Chicago Family Health Center, located at 556 E. 115th St., offer classes on parenting to help young fathers and mothers. In the past they have hosted seminars for young mothers and classes that teach parents how to deal with stress in a positive way where they are not taking their frustrations out on a child. They can be reached at 773768-5417. According to Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, a statewide nonprofit organization that leads prevention education and public awareness, community outreach, public policy advocacy, and promotion of effective prevention programs, child abuse can come in four different forms: Physical abuse – an injury to a child that is not an accident, which may include: hitting, punching, beating, burning, biting, kicking, cutting, shaking, or any action that physically harms a child. Emotional abuse – maltreatment of a child that may involve criticizing, insulting, yelling, swearing, manipulating, rejecting or withholding love. Sexual abuse – any sexual activity with a child, including exhibitionism, photographs or videos, pornography, prostitution, fondling, or rape. Neglect – failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional,
medical or educational needs. PCA Illinois says children are often abused by someone they know, such as a parent, relative, neighbor or friend of the family. The signs of possible abuse vary, but some include children, who are shy around adults, a reluctance to go home, unexplained bruises or other injuries, complaints about persistent nightmares or not sleeping well. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has a hotline the public can call to report suspected child abuse: 1800-25ABUSE. The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center will be hosting an event on April 10 at the Daley Center downtown. The public awareness exhibit, “We Exist,” will feature children’s, caregivers’ and professionals’ stories on child sexual and physical abuse. The exhibit calls on adults to take action to prevent, recognize, respond to and report abuse. “Events like ‘We Exist’ allow us to start having public conversations about this topic, which is seen as taboo to many,” said Julie O’Brien, spokesperson for Chicago CAC. “We are encouraging the public to get involved to stop this problem and we want to raise awareness on this issue.” On March 29, congregants and community members met at West Point Baptist to tie blue ribbons all around the church property to sym-
COMMUNITY MEMBERS TIE blue bows around the staircase at West Point Missionary Baptist Church last Saturday to bring attention to Child Abuse Awareness Month. “I like to focus on modern day isbolizes and bring awareness to the issue in the Black community. Entitled sues that we as Christians need to adthe “Blue Bow Campaign” Jakes said dress,” Jakes said. “This is one that is his members take this issue seriously dear to my heart. We will be providand the recent news reports of chil- ing information on how to recognize dren being left in cars alone, another and prevent child abuse for anyone in child who had his nose bitten off and the community who attends our serother stomach-curling details bring vices or any of the events we will be hosting this entire month of April.” the issue to the forefront.
Urban Prep’s success draws mayor’s praise Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently visited what may by the most academically successful group of Black male students in the region when he dropped in on the Englewood campus of Urban Prep Academy. The visit was prompted by news that the city’s only all-male African American charter school recorded its fifth successive year of all graduates being admitted to a four-year college or university. That was buoyed by the fact that 11 of the 240 graduating senior attained the coveted status of Gates Millennium Scholarship finalists, and the seniors netted $11 million in college grants and scholarships. Emanuel said “The young men of Urban Prep are continually raising the standard of academic excellence. The students graduating today serve as proof that with strong will and commitment, every child can achieve their dream of graduating high school, getting into and through college, and leading a successful life.” The 240 seniors graduating from Urban Prep this year, have been accepted to more than 185 four-year colleges and universities across the nation, including: Cornell University, Florida A & M University, Georgetown University, Grinnell 2
Saturday, April 12, 2014
alignment of Urban Prep’s success and mission to provide a highquality and comprehensive college-preparatory education to students with President Barack Obama’s recently-launched “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to increase opportunities for young African-American men. Urban Prep is the country’s first network of charter public high schools for boys. Since accepting its first class in the fall of 2006, Urban Prep has been recognized internationally for success in improving the academic, social, and emotional development of urban young men.
URBAN PREP CONTINUED its string of every graduating senior being accepted into a fouryear college or university. This achievement was enough to bring Mayor Rahm Emanuel to its Englewood campus to personally congratulate the young men. College, Howard University, sity, Emory University, the Univer- scape for young Black males,” said Morehouse College, Syracuse Uni- sity of Michigan, Williams Col- Tim King, Urban Prep Academies’ versity, Tufts University, the Uni- lege, and the United States Mili- Founder and CEO. “I couldn’t be versity of Illinois at Urbana-Cham- tary Academy (West Point). prouder of our accomplished young “Urban Prep’s record college ac- men, and I see bright futures ahead paign and the University of Virginia. This year, for the first ceptance, enrollment, and persis- of each and every one of them.” time, Urban Prep seniors have also tence rates demonstrate that we’re The theme of the event was “Our been admitted to Colgate Univer- changing the educational land- Brother’s Keeper,” showcasing the BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Scan this QR (quick response) code to be taken to the Chicago Crusader’s web site. www.chicagocrusader.com
NEWS
The Black Press is still powerful By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist Whenever there is a steady series of public questions being raised about the “power” of Black Americans, you should always first consider the motive and purpose of the questions. Such was the case recently when Richard Prince wrote a column, which was posted on The Root, titled: “Is The Black Press Still Powerful?” Of course the answer is “Yes, the Black Press in America is still powerful.” What was the underlying motive for this question being asked? I wonder if Prince, a long-time employee of the Washington Post, has ever written a column titled, “Is The White Press Still Powerful?” I seriously doubt it. There is a larger contextual reality that also needs to be considered. The truth is that during the past year, there has been a consistent series of so-called “mainstream” news articles, editorials, and blogs that have questioned the relevance, power and legitimacy of Black-owned businesses and institutions. In addition, during this same time period, the effectiveness and contemporary purpose of our tradition-
al civil rights organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) have been called into question. A few months ago the New York Times published a story that questioned whether Howard University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were still relevant and worthy of continued existence. It is not a mere coincidence that some of these news articles and blogs are being written again by supposedly “well-intentioned” African Americans. We certainly support and defend the right to freedom of the press and the right of all people to express themselves. Of course, the press has the right to be wrong. With that right, however, goes a responsibility not to distort the truth. This is not about neither freedom of the press nor freedom of speech. This is about the issue of racism and its proclivity to define and question reality. This is about the fact that we still live in a society that continues to be undergirded by the ideology of white supremacy that presupposes the false notion of Black inferiority. And as long as that is the case, there
(Continued from page 1) ter school network and contract schools are not as good as advertised. Additionally, she stated they are not held to the same standards of accountability, despite being given ample resources. “Since CPS has developed a portfolio model, which is a business model, this is clearly a hostile takeover,” Lewis said. “One of the problems with Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) is that they immediately get a huge infusion of resources. When they get these resources, you see a dramatic
increase in test scores. However, if you follow AUSL out a little longer, you see a flattening out of test scores, and actually, in some schools, a decline. This happens because you have a large attrition rate amongst teachers, and if you were to put all of the AUSL schools together as a network, they would come in dead last in test score component, but first in suspensions and expulsions of children. They also do not take the schools at the very bottom of the test score range because it is harder to push those schools, and they cannot get good results.”
(Continued from page 1) a member of the Planning Coalition, a community group. “In our (Planning Coalition) opinion, we’ve saved the best Dominick’s location for last. The community is ready to support a South Shore grocer different from those we already have, and to see the former Urban Partnership Bank building revived (as well),” Moyo said. “We are confident in the spirit of South Shore—both past and current residents— because we are in harmony, working together for what works best for a stronger economic future and a healthier quality of life for all of our residents.” Many grocers were initially put off by the landlord’s request for $1.8 million in rent and a long-
term lease on the store, according to Hairston. But, the owner has now become more flexible, and is even willing to sell the shopping center for $27 million, Hairston said. Moyo said the Planning Coalition is working closely with Hairston to help revitalize the South Shore community. “The objective is to work in harmony; to provide what the community has said they want and what is missing in South Shore, which is a high quality grocery store, with a fresh foods focus and a commitment to high-quality customer service,” Moyo said. “Both the Planning Coalition and the alderman are seeking not only grocery opportunities, but a crosssection of new business interests.”
Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. will be a need for powerful Black institutions. The Black Church is powerful. The Black Press is powerful. HBCUs are powerful. The NAACP and SCLC are still needed. While we have made considerable progress in the
last 50 years, we still have not overcome racism and its negative impact on Black America. And that fact is sometimes conveniently overlooked by Black journalists who work for such white-owned outlets such as the Washington Post and The
Lewis was asked is CTU against all charter schools. She responded one must understand the difference between a charter school and an AUSL school. “The problem is that AUSL are not charter schools, but rather contract schools,” Lewis said. “The teachers are members of CTU at AUSL schools. Our issue is you can’t continue to change how you evaluate and punish people. If you’re looking at charter schools, they have not performed; they have not done what they say they do, which is to outperform traditional public schools and do it cheaply.” Lewis defended CTU’s entry into the debate. She said the union will protect their members and claimed some of CPS’ policies are discriminatory against racial minorities and experienced teachers who make higher salaries. “We have seen when AUSL comes into schools that we have our teachers with more than 15 years of experience have a difficult time finding other positions. There is huge discrimination against teachers that are veteran, and that is even exacerbated if they are Black or Latino. These are our members who are being put in the street. We cannot just pretend that this is not happening,” Lewis said. Principal Brown echoed Lewis’ comments. She explained that principal’s budgets are getting tighter, and CPS is encouraging principals to hire less experienced teachers at a cheaper cost, which hurts kids in the
classroom like at Gresham. “I’ve been in education for a long time, and this fight is for my teachers and my students,” Brown said. “You hire younger teachers because that will give you more money in your budget, however, these teachers do not have the experience, so it is more problems for the children because the inexperienced teacher cannot manage the classroom. Where is the equity in that?” Brown said if CPS wants her building, she wants them to find jobs for her current staff members. She went on that CPS’s reasoning about declining academic standards as a reason for the turnaround is false, and identified Dr. Barbara Byrd-Bennett and Board Chairman David Vitale as lacking integrity and not telling the truth about the school. Last year, Brown shared she had a conversation with Dr. Byrd-Bennett, in which she told Brown her school would not be shared with another school, and that, “Now, we have to figure out what we are going to do with that building.” ByrdBennett did not address Brown’s claims, but did issue a statement on the matter of Gresham School: “We do not take a decision to bring systemic change to a school lightly, but when change is in the best interest of our students, we will not waiver. We are committed to ensuring all of our students have access to a high-quality education, and right now, that is not what the stu-
Root. For me and my co-defendants in the civil rights case known worldwide as the Wilmington Ten, this is a personal matter when someone takes issue with the present-day “power” of the Black Press. In 1972, the Wilmington Ten were unjustly sentenced to a combined total of 282 years in prison in the state of North Carolina. We were falsely accused and wrongly convicted of arson and conspiracy to assault charges doing a 1971 racial riot over public school desegregation in Wilmington. A little more than a year ago, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the Black Press USA, launched an effective national campaign to get an official “Pardon of Innocence” for the Wilmington Ten. For more than 40 years, many in the established media in the U.S. had published articles about the alleged “guilt” of the Wilmington Ten. In fact, the New York Times published a story in the late 1970s under the headline: “The Case Against the Wilmington Ten.” By the end of 2012, however, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue agreed with the NNPA-led effort as (Continued on page 14)
Gresham School still at odds with CPS
Potential grocers eyeing . . .
www.chicagocrusader.com
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
dents at Gresham are receiving.” Eddie Ferrell, a Gresham alumnus, who later graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School before joining the Marines, said CPS is slowly and intentionally taking resources from the school in an effort to make it fail. Ferrell has three children, who currently attend Gresham, and is a member of the Local School Council. He said over the last two or three years, he has seen for himself the budget cuts and how the school has been affected. “The cuts have forced us to lose our librarian, the art teacher, a science teacher, and other programs,” Ferrell said. “Through all of CPS’ attempts, the school has continued to progress. You can’t deny that, and if you were to take some of these Level I schools and give them the same resources and student population, those schools would have closed 20 years ago. If you’re going to put all of this money into a turnaround school, why not put it into a school that already exists?”
CORRECTION
The Chicago Crusader, in an April 5 story titled “Anybody but Rahm group looks for 100,000 voters” based upon information supplied by an outside organization, erroneously reported that Fred Collins had run for mayor of Chicago in 2011. The Chicago Crusader regrets the error. Saturday, April 12, 2014
3
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL THE COLOR OF EVIL April, 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan massacres. In that horrendous ordeal, more than 800,000 people lost their lives in tribal warfare. In 1994, Hutu extremists killed minority Tutsis in a 3-month killing spree. They burned down churches with hundreds or thousands of Tutsis inside, slaughtered children their parents and grandparents and committed other incredible atrocities. The violence was kicked off when President Juvenal Habyarimana, an ethnic Hutu, was killed in a plane crash on April 6, 1994. The result was, according to most observers, a case of horrific genocide. This was pure evil! When looking back at this situation we question why the United States did not step in and wield her considerable power as the “police of the world” as they have done in numerous other skirmishes, but it’s probably because there were no obvious economic benefits to be had. France, on the other hand, has been accused of aiding the Hutus in their genocidal activities, though they vehemently deny this claim. It’s interesting how we tend to paint some evils as more evil than others. For example, it’s more evil when white people kill Black people than it is when Black people kill Black people. This is why the Black community in America went berserk when Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman and, conversely, gives a faint whimper when hundreds of young Blacks kill each other. The truth is, though, that evil is evil, and we should be outraged when ANYONE is killed. Of course, if someone is considered an enemy, it might seem justified in being satisfied by an enemy’s demise. But once again, your enemy is a friend to someone, and from their standpoint, you are seen just as evil as your enemy allegedly was. In the United States any misfortune that visits white people is often greatly sanctioned in the Black community. This is to be understood, since Blacks were enslaved and mistreated by white people for centuries, and depending upon whom you ask, it is still going on. Black people have it hard in America; but they have it hard all over the world. Just recently, in Israel, Black refugees were violently attacked. In actuality, if the truth be told, you take yourself with you wherever you go, and this is why Black people suffer oppression everywhere. We refuse to believe that oppression is not our birthright; that we do not always have to be at the bottom. Evidence of a tendency to remain so can be seen in the attitude that many Black people have against successful Blacks. It’s almost as though there is an unspoken agreement that successful Blacks are not playing by the rules; that they are resented because they represent living proof that you don’t have to play the victim game. Once again, in this case, the face of evil is Black-on-Black. Ultimately, if you’re killed by a white person or by a Black person (or any other nationality for that matter), you are just as dead. Likewise, if you are mistreated by a white person you are just as stung as you would be when mistreated by a Black person. There are white devils and Black saints, but there are also Black devils and white saints. Basically, evil has no color, even though an oppressed people might want to paint all members of the oppressor with the same brush. But the fact remains that Black people need not be as oppressed today as currently seen if the internal barriers of evil, i.e., self-hatred and disgust, were removed. If these evil twins were replaced by self-love and respect, the community could rise like a powerful eagle soaring high above the clouds! A luta continua. 4
Saturday, April 12, 2014
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Here is your chance to elect a representative mayor Dear Editor: The news last week that some folks are looking for the next mayoral candidate certainly is welcomed. It is past time people in the city try to find the best Black candidate to run for the mayor’s office. By now we should have come to the reality that there are too many Uncle Toms out here who will vote against a Black candidate simply because the opponent is white. That is sad but that also is true. The group working to get rid of Mayor Emanuel has a tough row to hoe. Not only do they have to try to find, vet and present a candidate that will appeal to a large cross section of Chicago voters, if they also need to convince Bob Shaw, the former aldermen, that folks aren’t interested in someone with his spotty background. But in my opinion, the toughest job this group faces is raising enough money to effectively do battle with Emanuel. There is no good reason to believe that by the time next year’s election comes around, the mayor will not have doubled the $5 million currently in his campaign war chest. It will take at least $5 million, as well as the 100,000 new voters the anti-Emanuel group is targeting, and almost too many Get Out the Vote workers to count
for this new group to be effective. While I don’t have many doubts the group will be able to raise the necessary money or register the target number of new voters, I do believe that through some hankypanky they will allow themselves to get distracted by some nonsense, and with that loss of focus comes the impossibility of being effective. It happens too often in our community. Someone or some ones have a great idea and a reasonable plan, then somebody with more ego than sense derails the road to success. Sometimes it is happenstance, but too often it is underhandedness — somebody gets paid to mess up the process. I say let’s hope I am wrong about it this time. Marcy Hilton
Chicago legislators step up for a change Dear Editor:
On the surface it looks like Emanuel is attempting to drive the low and middle-income residents out of the city. The speeding and red light cameras are concentrated in the city’s Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. These cameras create an indirect tax and that makes it even more expensive to live in Chicago. We are already taxed to an extreme for most of our purchases in Chicago, and this guy wants to add onto that. No one should be naïve enough to think that renters (Continued on page 13)
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It was great to see a Chicago area legislator and Republican Jim Durkin step up to try to prevent Chicagoans from getting screwed by the mayor-again. Durkin refused to help Rahm Emanuel foist a property tax hike on Chicago residents. The increase in property tax is part of Emanuel’s plan to get rid of the gap in pension funding. This idea is so repulsive because thousands of homeowners are merely holding on, and have yet to fully recover from what a lot of folks call the Great Recession of 2008.
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COMMENTARY
To kill a Dream Beyond The Rhetoric By Harry C. Alford World history is full of great dreamers. The United States has certainly prospered from some of the greatest dreamers. Blacks can certainly be especially proud of one of the greatest dreamers ever. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that mankind can live together without prejudice and inequality. He made this nation deliver its promise of democracy for all. Some of us came willingly and with great joy while others resisted and came kicking and screaming. But we all came and the world is better for that. Booker T. Washington was another great dreamer. He believed that in order to be free one must first become educated. When he got his chance to enroll at Hampton University, which was 180 miles from his home he went. He had no funding for travel so he walked – all the way! That is a good example of this champion’s determination. After evolving from slavery to a free educated person, he sought to promote education even further. He went to rural Tuskegee, Alabama and built what is now Tuskegee University. Students had no money for tuition (he knew this) so he bartered
Harry C. Alford their manual labor for tuition and book fees. The students built the campus from dirt to a distinguished college. Even the furniture was built by the students. From there he went on to promote entrepreneurship with the founding of the National Negro Business League. A great dreamer indeed! When I was growing up in Oxnard, California, there was a wicked program in place. It was called the Bracero Program. Bracero is Spanish for laborer. Major farm-
ers would transport workers from Mexico. They would house them in shabby wooden barracks and worked them every day for a pittance of pay. It was near slavery. Then came a man who had a dream about workers being paid fairly for their toil. He was Cesar Chavez who decided to do something about it. He organized people of like minds and marched into Oxnard with the mission to take down the Bracero Program. He did and started the union movement in agriculture. Many families are indebted to this champion for humanity. There was a dreamer that most of you know little about. Dr. B. Roberto Cruz realized, like Booker T. Washington, that in order for his people (Hispanics) to realize their full potential in America, they must cherish education. He was shocked that so few Hispanics were attending American colleges and universities. During this period he realized that Blacks were not waiting for typical American colleges and universities to diversify. They populated the nation with historically Black colleges and universities – HBCU’s. These schools were producing most of the prominent and successful Blacks in our country. So, he decided to establish a model Hispanic university.
He established the National Hispanic University in 1981 and originally based in Oakland, California to increase the amount of educated Hispanics and to inspire other entities to do the same. He really liked the models of Spellman College and Howard University. In 1990, his university started another campus in nearby San Jose. Shortly after that he expanded his facility in Oakland. In 1994, he merged both campuses into a new campus in San Jose. This former Stanford University professor was on a roll. In 2002, the National Hispanic University received full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This is the first and only Hispanic school to achieve this distinction. Three months later Dr. Cruz died after a battle with cancer. According to California Assemblyman Manny Diaz, “His dedication to providing a high level of educational opportunities for all, especially ethnic minorities and disadvantaged students, is evident in the legacy he left behind.” With the loss of Dr. Cruz, fundraising for the university started to decline. Eventually in 2010, the school became a member of the Laureate International Universities network – a power house with 100 campuses in 21 nations. Lau-
reate is a for-profit network. In normal times, this would appear to be a great thing. But “oh the wolves are of another mind.” The “wolf” in this case is the U.S. Department of Education which has hatred against for-profit schools. Why? Basically most are union free and the current administration has a mission to unionize every segment of the US economy, including schools. Their weapon is to implement the “Gainful Employment Rule” which would eliminate over half of all for-profit schools. We stopped them from doing this in 2010 but now they are coming back for another try. In the interim they attacked this historical and successful Hispanic University. Last spring, they declared the Liberal Arts division of the school inferior (despite their top accreditation) and cancelled all financial aid to those students. With 25 percent of their enrollees unable to finance their education the school is financially damaged and has announced closing after the spring semester in 2015. Where is the outrage? Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.
Acceptance by 8 Ivies Doesn’t Remove Race Stigma By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist You would think that news of a high school student from a family of African immigrants getting accepted into all eight Ivy League universities would be met with universal celebration. If you thought that, think again. First the news: In the next month, Kwasi Enin must make a tough decision: Which of the eight Ivy League universities should he attend this fall? A first-generation American from Shirley, N.Y., the 17-year-old violist and aspiring physician applied to all eight, from Brown to Yale. The responses began rolling in over the past few months, and by late last week when he opened an email from Harvard, he found he’d been accepted to every one. School district officials provided scanned copies of acceptance letters from all eight Monday. Yale confirmed that it was holding a spot for Enin. The feat is extremely rare, say college counselors — few students even apply to all eight, because each seeks different qualities in their freshman class. Almost none are invited to attend them all. The Ivy League colleges are among the nation’s most elite. www.chicagocrusader.com
(USA Today) Comments posted on the news website reddit leave little doubt that even with all of Enin’s accomplishments, many people will never see beyond his race. The comments show appalling ignorance not only about race in the United States, but about the college admission process itself. A person with the sign-in name of Hairlesswalkingchimp wrote, “I’m gonna get real with you reddit; no matter how pissed this makes you it doesn’t change the fact that he would not have had this absurd success if he was a white kid.” A writer identifying himself as Jetusan asked, “Are you just as pissed that 30 percent of admissions at Harvard are legacies? How many are less qualified white people, I wonder?” That’s a point most critics miss. Universities, including Harvard and Yale, admit a certain number of students in each class based on whether a parent attended the Ivy League institution. They call them “Legacy Admissions” and that’s how George W. Bush got admitted into Yale, following in the footsteps of his father and his father’s father. Other students are admitted because a parent made a major
George E. Curry donation to the university. “I am surprised that no one has mentioned that for the seven other schools he chooses not to attend, seven students will be chosen from the schools respective wait list, and let’s be realistic, odds are they are white.” Overlooked in some of the posts is the fact that college admissions deans try to construct a balanced class, not robotically picking applicants based on grades and SAT scores. “Ivy Leagues don’t want well
rounded applicants, they want a well rounded class,” wrote house_ music_420. “It’s much easier to get in if you do something out of the ordinary and are really good at it instead of being pretty good at many things. I’ve talked to college admissions people and they all say that they are trying to build a well rounded class. “For example 10 people from my high school applied to Stanford and the only one who got in had a 3.5 GPA (lowest of the 10) and a 2030 SAT (lowest of the 10) and he was in my class struggling mightily.” Comeonreally8 wrote, “I am an admissions interviewer for one of the top ivies and I see a HUGE number of minority applicants with top grades, great SATs, and great leadership in their extracurriculars and they are rejected just as often as the non-minority applicants. So everyone saying ‘OMG IT’S ONLY BECAUSE HE’S BLACK’ calm down, being a minority is not some free pass to get into college. It is still incredibly challenging and rare to get into the top ivies. This kid sounds brilliant and I wish him all the success.” Wrote retop56: “This comment section is nothing short of hilarious. Yes, schools look for diversity
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
in admissions, but it seems like a lot of people really think he did nothing except check a box that he’s Black and waltz into 8 Ivys.” One person wrote, “There are 1,000s of spots for white students to get in but when they fail to do so, they blame it on the 50 Black students that they let in every year.” A white writer, JadeChaosTheory, noted: “Just by being white we have a ton of advantages in general – minorities need the boosts where they can get it.” He explained, “He [Enin] could graduate college with flying colors and still struggle to find a job/move up in the workplace because casual racism is a real and prevalent thing and there is an innate fear of people of color in positions of power.” George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his website, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/curry george and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook. Saturday, April 12, 2014
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COMMENTARY
KEY IDEAS TO BE REMEMBERED
Dr. Conrad Worrill, Director/Professor, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) located at 700 East Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, Illinois, 60653, 773-268-7500, Fax: 773-268-3835 E-mail: c-worrill@neiu.edu, Website: www.ccicschicago.org, Twitter: @CCICS_ Chicago.
Dr. Conrad Worrill At this current stage of history in the African (Black) Liberation Movement, it is important that
key concepts be revisited and rediscussed in our continued efforts to seek clarity on certain ideas that are fundamental to the white supremacy foundation of America. First, there is the idea and concept of the “Maafa.” When we discuss genocide against African People in America, we must also discuss the Maafa, because it was this Maafa that has historically created the on-going genocidal conditions inflicted against African People in America. When we use the term “Maafa” we are talking about an African term used to describe tremendous suffering, indescribable atrocities, disaster, calamity, catastrophe, or injustice. This term is used to refer to the protracted suffering of African people and culture as a consequence of the Transatlantic Slave Trade System. As the African Maafa researcher Michael Scott explains— “No African was waiting as a slave to be traded to the Europeans. In all regions of Africa, from which Africans were transported, the African was involved in a brutal war declared by the European aggressor, interested in exploiting the human and natural resources of the richest continent on the earth.” Further, Brother Scott reveals,
“These Africans who became prisoners of war were placed in detention camps and then transported to the Americas to be enslaved by the benefactors of their captors. No African began his or her ordeal as a slave. Africans were reduced to slavery by conquest.” It is important for African People to understand and internalize these brief historical facts. Just as the Jews, or any other group of people in the world, internalize their holocaust, and act on it, African People must come to the collective reality of our Maafa and act on it also. Finally, Brother Scott instructs us that, “Our foreparents were innocent victims of these heinous system of forced labor. They were never able to comprehend being seized in early morning attacks on their villages by vicious raiding parties. They were never able to understand why they were being sold by the avaricious middle men. They could never fathom why they were being marched in fetters and chains to the coast where they were bartered for European merchandise especially rum and guns. They could never appreciate ‘why they were being warehoused in hell-like dungeons in Elmina or Goree.”
So now that we have some insight into the idea and concept of the Maafa, it should make it easier to understand the idea and concept of genocide. In Olumenji’s book, White Genocide, Black Obsolescence, The Question of Black Survival In White America, he defines genocide very succinctly. He says genocide is the “deliberate and systematic destruction of Black people by white American socio-economic and cultural forces.” According to Brother Olumenji, America has created an ideology that justifies the annihilation of African people in this country. This is the function of genocide by those who inflict it on a mass of people. That is, they create a rationale for the annihilation and then try to explain that it does not exist. This was the case in the CIA involvement in cocaine distribution in Los Angeles in which the profits were used to finance the CIA backed Contra army in Nicaragua. This involvement of the CIA caused a proliferation of the distribution and sale of crack cocaine across the African Communities of America, causing serious devastation to our communities. The United States Government tried to downplay the CIA’s involvement in this incident by say-
ing that this is an isolated situation and in fact this is not true. As a result of the Maafa and the genocide against African People in America, we must step up the demand for Reparations as the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, N’COBRA, is advocating as are many other African organizations throughout the world. Reparations simply means repair for injuries, harm and damages. As it has been pointed out, over and over again, we were made chattel and worked for more than three-hundred years without pay or other compensation for the value of our labor. The white man and white woman stole and criminally appropriated the services and the value of three-hundred years of labor and then passed it on through inheritance to their children. This process helped create the United States of America and this is fundamental to our demands for Reparations. We must continue to discuss these ideas in our efforts to dismantle our mental shackles. Every race and every ethnic group in the world protect their interests and African People should and must do no less.
VOTER SUPPRESSION CONTINUES By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist I love voting. Every time I go into the booth, I see little girl me, pigtails and all, plaid skirt, white blouse and green sweater, part of my Catholic school uniform. Most of my family was Democrats, though my grandmother voted Republican a time or two because “Lincoln freed the slaves.” In 1960 I had the privilege of pulling the lever to elect John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the candidate that the nuns at Immaculate Conception Elementary School rhapsodized over. On the way back from the polls, my mom told me that Negroes (as we were called then) didn’t always get to vote, and she shared facts about grandfather clauses and poll taxes. I’ll never forget that moment, which may have sown the seeds of my activism. Indeed, when I went to school the next day, and the nun asked if everyone’s parent had voted, I took the opportunity to share that Negroes did not always get to vote. I was sent home with a note at the end of the day, and got an admonition from my mom about keeping my 6
Saturday, April 12, 2014
big mouth shut. I guess I didn’t learn my lesson! I guess everyone doesn’t like voting as much as I do. Only a quarter of those eligible to vote in the District of Columbia did so. Some blamed the earliness of the primary (only Illinois had an earlier date, on March 26 and some states have primary elections as late as September); others spoke of the inclement weather the weekend before the election as affecting voter turnout. But when I am reminded that Fannie Lou Hamer was almost beat to death because she registered voters, and Medgar Evers was killed because he worked to secure voting rights for Black people I am infuriated by those who take a pass on voting. How does a little snow on Sunday keep you from going to the polls on Tuesday? The fact is that too many African Americans play into enemy hands whenever they fail to vote. Now the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under law (www.lawyerscommitt.org) has produced a “Map of Shame” that highlights more than a dozen states that engage in voter suppression, either
Dr. Julianne Malveaux by requiring picture ID, consolidating polling places so that people have to travel further to vote, or passed other restrictions on voting. Unsurprisingly, most of these states are in the South, but Northern states like Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania have also made it more difficult for voters. North Carolina is so bad that Rev. William Barber, head of the state
NAACP, has been leading hundreds outside the state capitol weekly for “Moral Mondays” designed to draw attention to the immorality of voter suppression. In a recent decision, the Supreme Court has now made it easier to purchase votes on First Amendment grounds, with the amount that the wealthy can give increasing exponentially. In McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the court ruled that the limit on contributions is unconstitutional. Mr. McCutcheon is not shy about explaining why he wants to spend more money. He wants to ensure that the law embraces conservative principles. It is interesting that the McCutcheon decision comes in time to influence this election cycle. With this decision, the Supreme Court has made it easier to purchase an election. With limits on PAC money lifted, the court has created a well-funded monster. There is more than one way to suppress the vote, and this court is determined to silence citizens any way they can. They have nullified parts of the Voting Rights Act. They’ve made it possible to pour money into campaigns. In many
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
ways they have attempted to shut people up, or at least skew the playing field in favor of the wealthy. Rev. Jesse Jackson says that the hands that picked peaches can also pick Presidents. We can’t pick anything if we don’t get to the polls. Voter suppression and well-funded opponents are obstacles to voting. Still, we impose some of the obstacles on ourselves. Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women.
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GOSSIPTARY
when the elections roll around a few months from now. One lady who worked for a short man who nearly beat her brakes off in the last municipal election said she has already got people in place to
By Ima Gontellit EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is published as political satire, street gossip and humor, and therefore should not be considered as fact but rather as matter of opinion. None of the items therein are collected by the news gathering staff of the Crusader Newspaper Group. Items forwarded to The Chatterbox are kept confidential unless otherwise requested by the author in writing. For submissions please forward to: AChicagoCrusader@aol.com. Original photography and artwork are permitted. Thank you for reading!
BACK AT IT This child don’t quit. When will Bill “Dock” Walls realize people just don’t see him as the mayortype. We hear he’s gearing up for one of his semi-fake campaigns to unseat whomever is sitting inside City Hall. This time he’s clever enough to get the backing of some union people who have been convinced that no other viable candidate is out there and so they might as well “throw their chips in” with Walls. Look for the usual suspects to wind up in his fake
Robert Shaw up the community can’t seem to run out of them. Harry is like 80 percent of all Black folk that think some renegade detectives and contract killers are out here shooting bullets in the air because they always seem to hit vital organs with expert precision. They think the po-leece is up to something to drive up some sort of outrage so people will once again call for the National Guard and for all kinds of Patriot Act type stuff in the ‘hood. Police want more power. People want the killing to stop. White folk ain’t saying nothing however, about their people who are fond at stabbing their chillen’s and setting houses on fire. Not one white man has called for the federal police to come to Barrington, Brookfield, Glencoe or none of them places—even though some horrific crimes be happening there all the time. Harry say Chris Rock is right. Make each bullet cost $5,000 and watch the
Latasha Thomas help David Moore take the seat from Ms. Thomas. This lady seems to be mad that Thomas “aint done nothing for us,” and something about “we can’t get no garbage cans either.” Now what’s even stranger is we now hear that her biggest protector, Father Pfleger, is also mad at her—so she’s as good as done, if dat be so. Thomas won’t be able to depend on Rahm, Daley and the former friends of Alan Streeter to help her this time. If she so even dares put her picture on something with the current mayor, people will bum rush her office on Racine and demand she leave right then and there. -ImaSPOTTED OUT
WHAT’S A PENSION De folks at the Great Bye and Goodbye Convalescent Center were arguing about all de news about people’s losing’ their pensions because de cowards in Springfield do whatever their massas tell them to do. Now some folk said they understands de issue because a few of them be widows and they living real good off their dead spouse’s pension. The rest say they only know ‘bout Social Security and so why should they care, as long as God give them the 1st and 3rd of the month they’ll be good. Yet, five guys who were playing checkers were ear hustlin’ in de conversation and two of them spoke up. “You big dummies. Social Security is next! Them rich folk ain’t gone stop til we all either dead or back in chains! You had your chance to vote these suckas out. But you don’t get up and vote.” To which Mable with the blue hair replied, “Quit lying. I voted three times last time!”
shootings go down. Ima sad for de loss of life, especially our babies, who can’t seem to make it past the age of 16 these days.
-Ima-
-Ima-
BULLETS ON SALE
IN DEY SIGHTS
Harry at the laundromat say the bullets must be on sale because the gangbangers and the pretendgangbangers who keep shooting
The alderman in the 17th Ward must have made a whole lot of people mad, because we hear that her goose is as good as cooked
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TOLD YOU SO Dat little Jesse JUNIOR was going Malcolm X on his federal prison guards and he wound up in the ‘hole. We also told you he was being shipped around de nation and has since wound up in a federal drug rehab program in Alabama. Though he didn’t do drugs and accordingly to one of his pals “didn’t drink all that much because politics was his dope...” Triple Jay is pretending to be so strung out that he needs to be in this program which ironically, will get him out of jail by the end of the year. (Wink. Wink.) New thang they saying is his wife, the cute elf, will only do six months of her time and she’s ready to get it
HE QUIT? One West Side alderman will allegedly “give up his seat,” and refuse to run for re-election. Somebody is citing some sort of substance abuse problems. Yet, one person claimed that this alderman is just “confused,” and “somethin’ ain’t right with him.” With the rumor circulating, at least 40 people have claimed they will rise to the occasion and run for office, should he step down. -ImaTRICKIN’ IS EASY That must be the logo of one Black female state representative who is happy to put a rag on her head and run the ofays all up in the ‘hood with their promises. This state representative was plant-
David Moore
-Ima-
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Former U.S. Senator and failed mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun running across a busy street. She looked disheveled and Bill “Dock” Walls campaign. And as usual, Walls will have no explanation for how he is able to afford his numerous runs for office without having what appears to be lucrative employment. He along with the Wig Man (Robert Shaw) will ensure that the tiny dancer will continue his ice, cold, steel grip on dis’ town for years to come.
ed in the general assembly by the same forces that run everything in this city, and she don’t even hide it no ‘more—’cept when she’s at her church, which is also on the payroll.
Carol Moseley Braun confused too and she was carrying a very large purse which could have been full of Emanuel Herbal Tea. We heard one cup of that and it’ll make you doo doo for days.
Jesse Jackson Jr. poppin’ so that after she gets out she can run to Divorce Court, stay in Washington, D.C., and handle her business. No word on whether she’ll lose her lucrative law license. JUNIOR, on the other hand, never had one.
Call 773-752-2500 to order your subscription to The Chicago Crusader Newspaper
-Ima-
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, April 12, 2014
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
REGISTRATION FOR CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT SUMMER PROGRAMS, DAY CAMPS NOW OPEN: Each summer, the Park District provides more than 30,000 campers, ages 6-12, with a season of supervised activity at more than 230 local parks. Children will go on field trips, explore nature, arts and culture, engage in sports and recreation, and enjoy water time. Regular summer programs run the week of June 16 through the week of August 18. Standard day camps run for six weeks from June 23 through August 1. The Park District’s summer day camp hours vary for each location with typical camps running about six hours per day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Many parks offer early morning and late-day sessions as well. Fees vary depending on location, offerings and hours. In-person registration for summer programs will be held on either Saturday, April 12 or Monday, April 14 depending on the park. You can also register online. In accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) federal regulations, the Chicago Park District will participate in the Summer Food Service Program in conjunction with summer day camp. Lunches and/or snacks will be provided for enrolled children at most camps. For more information, contact your local park, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY. BECOME A JUNIOR NATURALIST AT THE NATURE MUSEUM’S SPRING BREAK CAMP: Who says camp is only for summer? The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s first Spring Break Camp is quickly approaching! As seasons begin to change, children age 5-9 will have the chance to enjoy the wonders of nature and science. The Museum will host four and five day sessions in April, for spring breakers looking to dive right into urban nature. Camp will be held Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive, just off Lake Shore Drive at Fullerton in Lincoln Park. Campers will indulge their inner scientist through animal tracking, bird watching, plant and tree identification, nature hiking, unstructured play, live animal encounters and more! Healthy snacks will be provided each day. Cost: Members: $180/ four days (Mon - Thurs) or $225/ all five days (Mon-Fri); Non-Members: $260 / four days (Mon - Thurs) or $325 / All five days (Mon - Fri). To register and for more information, please visit: http://www.naturemuseum.org/programsevents-and-camps/camps/ spring-camp. CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY 8
Saturday, April 12, 2014
MONEYSMART WEEK EVENTS: The Chicago Public Library (CPL) joins the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart partners in hosting the Money Smart Week, which ends Saturday, April 12. Upcoming workshops include: First Time Homebuyers, presented by Cole Taylor Bank on Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m., at the Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W. Fullerton Avenue. Learn about the home buying process and requirements for ownership including budget preparation, credit management, documentation and the actual costs of owning & maintaining property. Also on Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m., at the Lozano Branch, 1805 S. Loomis Street, Making the Most of Tomorrow by Making Smart Decisions Today, is a workshop presented by New York Life. This workshop is designed to prepare pre-retires by assessing their current assets to determine how much income may be needed during retirement and how to meet these goals. For more information, visit the Library’s website at chicagopubliclibrary.org. THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS OBSERVE MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON’S LEGACY: The Chicago Public Library and community partners, including The Chicago Urban League, are pleased to present a program in commemoration of the late Mayor Harold Washington and his legacy. The event takes place on Monday, April 14 at 6 p.m. in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium of the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street. Now in its 23rd year, the event is an acknowledgement of Mayor Washington’s contributions to society and Chicago history, and to those who had a part in his successes and accomplishments. Although Mayor Harold Washington served for what seems like a brief 55 months in office, he left an indelible signature on the city of Chicago. Some of his keynote accomplishments include his historic election that defeated the city’s legendary Democratic political machine and brought a reformist agenda to city hall. While in office Mayor Washington signed a decree to end patronage hiring and created an ethics ordinance that still exists today. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the City developed and implemented a cultural plan to analyze the cultural needs and opportunities for all Chicagoans. Additionally, in 1987 Mayor Washington ordered a design/build competition for a new central library in the South Loop. The City Council authorized the competition and the $144 million bond issue to finance the project but sadly, Mayor Washington died before the winner was selected. For
SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE unveiled a new ad campaign showing how all Illinoisans can become heroes by joining the state’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry. April is National Donate Life Month. White will attend events throughout Illinois to encourage donation and awareness throughout the month. Television and radio ads will air in English and Spanish statewide. Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State Organ/Tissue Donor Program at LifeGoesOn.com, 1-800-210-2106 or by visiting their local Driver Services facility. more information, visit chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library at 312-747-4050. LIFE TIME OFFERS FREE TUESDAY SOCIAL RUNS TO TRAIN FOR 2014 MICHELOB ULTRA CHICAGO 13.1 MARATHON®: Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company is offering free outdoor social runs every
Tuesday, led by one of Life Time’s run coaches in order to help athletes train for events such as the Chicago Half Marathon, 2014 Michelob Ultra Chicago 13.1 Marathon® produced and presented by Life Time, Chicago Marathon and more. This is a great way to connect, communicate and run with a local group of people who are passionate about running. Social runs are free and open to the public, with
runners meeting at their closest Life Time Fitness location. For more information visit http://lifetimerun.com/ Sub_Social/tuesdaynightsocialrun.html. Register to be one of the first to start and finish the 2014 Michelob Ultra Chicago 13.1 Marathon® benefiting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. For more information and to register, please visit: www.131marathon.com/chicago/.
Extended Coverage ***
The cost of a private room in a nursing home is about $90,000 a year. Home care can run even more. Unless you are prepared and able to pay for that out of pocket, it’s smart to look into long-termcare insurance. *** Some experts recommend starting some sort of long-term-care protection in one’s 50s. They recommend buying enough protection to ensure retirement savings are not jeopardized. Setting aside enough for a spouse to live on, the choice is often a policy that pays about half the nursing-home cost.
Milton E. Moses
Yet another tip: get the information you need from the insurance specialists at Community Insurance Center, Inc., 526 E. 87th Street, your insurance headquarters. We have been serving the community since 1962. For more information about the services we provide, call (773) 651-6200. You can also reach us via email at: sales@communityinsurance.com or visit the website at www.communityins.com.
*** As premiums have gotten higher, various new cost-saving options have arisen for buyers: discounts for couples buying together; sharedbenefit policies, where a named benefit period can be split between spouses; even a policy that combines long-term-care with life insurance. *** What you do want to get is some inflation protection as nursinghome rates rise. Another smart tip: be sure to invest in long-term-care insurance while you’re still healthy. BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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BUSINESS
Mortgage Complaints Top CFPB’s 2013 List Complaints grow despite National Mortgage Settlement assistance By Charlene Crowell In mid-March, the monitor for the National Mortgage Settlement announced that participating banks had completed terms of the agreement affecting 49 states. Collectively, Bank of America, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo provided over $20 billion in borrower relief to more than 600,000 troubled homeowners. Of these monies, at least $10 billion was used to reduce principal owed on homes with market values lower than their mortgages and others that were either delinquent or at-risk of default. Another $3 billion benefited borrowers who were able to refinance their homes at lower interest rates than their original mortgages. The remaining $7 billion assisted a variety of programs from service members who were forced to sell their homes at a loss, to antiblight efforts, short sales and transitional assistance. Despite these positive steps, the housing crisis is still not over for far too many households. New data released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
reveals that mortgages remain the number one complaint category for the second consecutive year. In 2013, mortgage complaints filed with CFPB grew to 60,000, compared to 19,250 complaints the previous year. Speaking to the newly released data, CFPB Director Richard Cordray said, “At a market level, complaints give us insight into what is happening to consumers across the country, right now. They are also our compass and make a difference by informing our work and helping us identify and prioritize problems for potential supervisory, enforcement and regulatory action.” When CFPB analyzed consumers’ mortgage concerns, loan modification, collections and foreclosures accounted for nearly 60 percent of those received. Other mortgage complaints included loan servicing, payments, escrow accounts, mortgage brokers and origination. The irony of the continuing mortgage saga is that the national settlement called for new servicing standards that would correct the kinds of conduct that harmed consumers in recent years. The
Charlene Crowell settlement also included explicit servicing requirements to remedy key problem areas Providing a single point of contact for borrows to call when seeking information about their loans and adequate staff to handle calls; Requiring servicers to evaluate all available option to homeowners before beginning foreclosures; Stopping past consumer abuses such as lost paperwork and im-
proper documentation; servicers were to end the practice of robosigning foreclosures and instead ensure a full review prior to those filings; and Restricting banks from foreclosing while the homeowner is being considered for loan modifications that would make mortgage payments more affordable. CFPB’s complaints highlight a harsh reality of our country’s economy. Its findings can and should serve as a bellwether for continued policy reforms that address yet unmet needs. However while CFPB can tally its complaints, the anguish that homeowners continue to suffer cannot be calculated. The American Dream of homeownership became a nightmare during the housing crisis and continues to be so for large numbers of homeowners. It is also relevant to note that for many troubled borrowers, the decision to purchase a home remains the single largest investment of their lifetimes. Since the financial crisis that began in September 2008, approximately 4.9 million homes were lost to foreclosures as of January this year. Additionally, another
1.9 million mortgages were in serious delinquency, 90 days or more past due. These data points were tallied by CoreLogic, a firm specializing in financial analysis. The 600,000 homeowners helped by the national settlement began important remedies to the crisis. And it is still too soon to measure the effectiveness of CFPB’s new mortgage rules that took effect in January. It is therefore clear that more important work remains before America’s housing market returns to full health. Communities of color that were targeted for predatory mortgage loans have endured the brunt of foreclosures and lost wealth. Even for neighbors who remain in their homes and are current on their mortgages, reduced property values affect their home investments as well. No community – especially those that were financially preyed upon - should be left out of the nation’s recovery. Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.
Local African-American woman is new CEO for California foundation The former manager of the Chicago office of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisers (RPA), Judy Belk, is the president and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). Belk left Rockefeller after a 12-year career, and recently began her new position at the TCWF. Dr. Barbara C. Staggers, the foundation’s board chair said this in the announcement made last month. “Judy has stellar operational and strategic leadership expertise in philanthropy and a strong sense of valuing the voices of grantees. This coupled with her track record in myriad philanthropic efforts that support underserved communities makes her a strong match for The California Wellness Foundation.” Belk launched the West Coast and Midwest operations; and helped position RPA as a global “thought leader” in promoting effective strategic philanthropy, impact investing, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Staggers added. “I’m looking forward to working with TCWF’s impressive Board, its talented staff and committed community partners across the state in leveraging the Foundation’s resources and voice in bringing about meaningful health changes,” Belk said. The Foundation is recognized nationally for its strategic core operating support that builds and
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Judy Belk sustains the capacity of health and human-service nonprofit organizations, and for its public policy grantmaking. TCWF has also earned national recognition for funding public education and policy outreach, including groundbreaking, multilingual campaigns in violence prevention, teenage pregnancy prevention and promoting diversity in the health professions. Belk brings to the Foundation a strong track record of leadership spanning the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors. At Levi Strauss & Co., she led a global team in pioneering work on AIDS education and prevention, and women’s economic development,
and launched Project Change, a national antiracism initiative, which was recognized by President Bill Clinton with the first Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership in 1998. She also developed and led the company’s philanthropic efforts in postapartheid South Africa. Throughout her career, Belk has been a strong advocate in promoting diversity, inclusion and equity both within and outside of the philanthropic sector. She has been a passionate voice in raising awareness of the needs of women and girls, as well as communities of color. She has been actively involved in the D5 Initiative, a national coalition of philanthropic leaders committed to increasing philanthropic resources for women, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, and people of color. “The Foundation is at a key crossroads in its history,” said Cole Wilbur, TCWF’s interim president and CEO. “As we sunset the Responsive Grantmaking Program, the Foundation welcomes Judy, an enterprising leader with deep knowledge in philanthropy, to lead the next era of our grantmaking.” Belk joins a distinguished roster of executives who have led the Foundation since it was founded more than two decades ago. Belk is a frequent writer and speaker on organizational ethics, race and social change, and her work has
been recognized with several state and national awards. Her pieces have aired on National Public Radio
and appeared in several national publications.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation recognized for financial reporting excellence Commissioner Kathleen Therese Meany, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, (MWRDGC) has announced that the District has once again received awards for financial reporting excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. Meany stated that “the District accurately com-
municates its financial story to the public every year.” President Meany concluded by saying “as the highest form of recognition in the areas of budgeting, accounting and financial reporting by state and local government, the GFOA certificates provide assurance to the MWRD Board and management, investors, regulators, rating (Continued on page 13)
HOLDING THE METROPOLITAN Water Reclamation’s award for excellence in financial reporting from the GFOA is left to right Commissioner Keri Steel, Chairman of Budget and Employment Committee; Steven Gauthier, Director of Technical Services Center for GFOA; and Eileen McElligott, Administrative Services Manager at the District.
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, April 12, 2014
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★ ★ ★ ★ “A Night of 10 It was a “star-filled” night in Chicago when the DuSable Museum of African American History presented its annual “A Night of 100 Stars Gala” on Saturday, April 5, 2014. The Gala, which was held at the South Shore Cultural Center attracted more than 900 of the city’s most influential people including: Governor Pat Quinn, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. During the “A Night of 100 Stars Gala,” the DuSable Museum honored African American Chicagoans who have made outstanding contributions to society through their careers and civic engagement. The 2014 awards were presented to . . . Kyndal Buchanan: Senior, Kenwood Academy High School Reverend Charles Jenkins: Senior Pastor, Fellowship M.B. Church Carol D. Lee, Ph.D.: Edwina S. Tarry, Professor of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University Haki R. Madhubuti: Poet/Publisher, Third World Press. Linda Johnson Rice: Chairman, Johnson Publishing Company LLC
Michael Wilbon: Host and Contributor, ESPN Hosts of The Awards presentation were Val Warner, of Windy City LIVE! and Charles Thomas, ABC7-Chicago, political reporter. Serving as Gala Planning Committee Chairmen were: Melody Spann Cooper, Chairman, Midway Broadcasting Corporation and Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, Senior Vice President, U.S. Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement, Nielsen. Sponsors of the “2014 A Night Of 100 Stars” Gala were: Diamond Sponsor – PNC Bank; Platinum Sponsor – Allstate; Gold Sponsors – Fifth Third Bank, ITW, Magellan and Nielsen; Silver Sponsors – Bank of America, ComEd, Macy’s, McDonalds, Mr. and Mrs. Don Thompson and Walgreens; Crystal Sponsors – Advocate Healthcare, BET, BMO Harris Bank, Boeing, Loop Capital Markets, Northern Trust Company, Bruce and Diane Rauner, University of Chicago Medicine and U S Bank. ABC7-Chicago is the official media sponsor and United Airlines is the official airline of the DuSable Museum.
A Night Of 100 Stars 2014 Honorees with Dr. Carol L. Adams
Candace and Charles Jordan
Clarence Bourne, Rahm Emanuel and Carol Adams
Guests 10
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Dr. Carol Adams and Conway Downing
Dr. Carol Adams and Governor Pat Quinn
Curtis Wiley and Trisha Jeffrey from "Motown: the Musical" with Governor Pat Quinn BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
www.chicagocrusader.com
00 Stars Gala” ★ ★ ★ ★
Val Warner and Charles Thomas, ABC7-Chicago
Gala Co-Chairman, Cheryl Pearson-McNeil and Governor Pat Quinn
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Pastor Charles Jenkins
Dr. Carol Adams, DuSable Board Member, Maria Green and Honoree Kyndal Buchanan with her father.
Linda Johnson Rice
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Cheryl Burton, Linda Johnson Rice and Alexa Rice
Guests www.chicagocrusader.com
Clarence Bourne BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, April 12, 2014
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ENTERTAINMENT
By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ By Raymond Ward
Yolanda Adams and Chicago Mass Choir featured in concert An April 26 concert will feature Gospel virtuoso Yolanda Adams and the Chicago Mass Choir as part of a free health fair sponsored by the American Heart & Stroke Association. Another noted Gospel performer, Jonathan McReynolds also will perform. The health fair is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. and is expected to last until 10 p.m. Comedian Ron Baker, Jr. is also a part of the show. The events are at the House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St. Both are free. The health fair offers health screenings, CPR demonstrations, fitness activities, and other activities. It is designed to provide educational information for the African American-community increased risk for stroke. Stroke is the third leading killer of African Jonathan McReynods Americans and the third leading
‘Heaven Is For Real’ hits movies next week By Elaine Hegwood Bowen “Heaven Is For Real” is another film co-produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes, which offers nice, clean entertainment for faith-based moviegoers. “Heaven is For Real” is based on the experiences of Todd and Sonja Burpo, a real-life couple whose son Colton says he visited Heaven during a near death experience. He later shares his experiences with his family and community members. Of course, at first no one wants to believe him, because he is merely 4 years old, but after he reveals something to his father that he only could have seen if he were not in the hospital operating room, the father is compelled to believe his son. But, it still isn’t easy sailing, as Colton’s parents don’t want to appear to be loony—revealing to their small town that their son claims he has seen Jesus Christ. I was able to preview the film at a screening in late March that was promoted by the Mark Hubbard Christian radio show, along with Reggie Ayers, and whose audience members included many members of Fellowship Chicago. “Heaven Is For Real” is a great family movie, in that it shows the test of faith for one family and the
GREG KINNEAR AS Todd Burpo and Connor Corum as Colton Burpo in a scene from Heaven Is For Real entire community as they choose to one a part of his every experience, believe or not believe that someone whether in Heaven or on Earth. The living within their area has actually movie, based upon a true story, was seen Jesus Christ. very easy to follow despite the comPastor Olivia Johnson of Chicago plexity of such an uncommon, and Heights-based Generational Bless- perhaps, to many, difficult to beings Family Worship Center was lieve theme.” one of the audience members. But for those who may not have “Overall, I enjoyed the film, espe- accepted Christ and weren’t believcially how the scenes so gracefully ers, Pastor Johnson noted some istoggled intermittently between sues. “I thought the movie lacked Heaven and Earth as Colton de- clarity and was misleading to scribed his Heavenly experience. moviegoers that have not yet acThis was beautifully done,” Pastor cepted Christ, because some scenes Johnson said. “The smooth flowing, implied that you get to Heaven just well-connected transitions made (Continued on page 13)
Yolanda Adams cause of death in Illinois. The event is part of the American Stroke Association’s Power To End Stroke initiative, a national educational and awareness campaign targeting African Americans. It unites African Americans and encourages them to make an impact on their own health and lower the frequency of stroke within their community. For more information: www.heart. org/MPVChicago.
The Chicago Mass Choir 12
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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
www.chicagocrusader.com
ENTERTAINMENT
The Bookworm Sez ‘Things I Should Have Told My Daughter: Lies, Lessons & Love Affairs’
by Pearl Cleage c.2014, Atria $23.99 / $27.99 Canada 320 page Dear Diary… You’ve written that many times in your life. Little hurts, schoolgirl crushes, firsts, lasts, and thoughts. It’s all written in your journal so you’d see where you came from and where you’re going. But would you want your children or grandchildren to read your journals, unedited, warts and all? Pearl Cleage thinks she might. Maybe. And in her new book, “Things I Should Have Told My Daughter,” she explains why. The “no” came as no surprise: as a fifteen-year-old, Pearl Cleage’s daughter, Deignan, declined the opportunity to read her mother’s journals. So when Cleage offered to keep the journals for her granddaughter to read someday, Deignan turned her down, saying that the toddler didn’t need to read
them, either. Deignan figured she understood what happened in Cleage’s life. She was there for much of it, after all, but Cleage wondered if the things her daughter never knew were just as important as the things she knew. There were lessons to learn, and Cleage chose to begin with January 9, 1970. Twenty-one-year-old Cleage was at a party that night, commiserating with the wife of a friend on his way to jail. Politics and activism were a major part of Cleage’s life then: she had many friends in the SNCC, had met Coretta Scott King, was a supporter of Angela Davis and, later, worked with Maynard Jackson. Racial issues were on her mind a lot then, as was sexism and feminism. Though it would alter her plans for her future, Cleage thought about having a baby in her midtwenties. She didn’t mention it to her then-husband, Michael Lomax, but she often wondered what their child might look like. In August of 1974, she found out. Giving birth wasn’t hard. Motherhood sometimes was. And as her daughter grew, so did Cleage. Still politically active, she honed her writing skills and became a playwright, columnist, and
author. She got divorced. Her mother died as Cleage’s career and her love life thrived. Yes, things happened that her granddaughter “probably” didn’t need to know, but Cleage is overall “glad” she wrote them down anyhow. You know those nature shows where you watch a flower open in quick-time? That’s what reading “Things I Should Have Told My Daughter” is like: we watch an accomplished writer blossom before our eyes, in a book written while she bloomed. But that’s not the only appeal here: author Pearl Cleage gives us a front-row seat, not only to her life but to the social issues of the days in which she journaled. That allows us to see history in the eyes of an idealistic young woman, then a new mother, then someone who’s on the edge of attaining her dreams – all perspectives for which we know the outcome but getting there, as they say, is half the fun. Though clarifying notes might’ve been occasionally helpful (particularly in determining ownership of pronouns), this is one diary you needn’t read furtively. For you, “Things I Should Have Told My Daughter” is a book you should see.
WYCC PBS Chicago Presents A Special Evening with Buddy Guy Premiere: Friday, April 18, 2014, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. WYCC PBS Chicago and Buddy Guy’s Legends teamed up to bring blues music to a greater television viewing audience with a two-hour special that captures the rich history of Chicago blues from its premier blues club—Buddy Guy’s Legends Club, still owned and operated for 25 years. This two-hour special presented by WYCC is intended to bring viewers up close and personal with multi Grammy-award winning George “Buddy” Guy and his music in the club he owns and operates for 25 years now. WYCC PBS A Special Evening
Buddy Guy with Buddy Guy premieres Friday, April 18, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on WYCC PBS
‘Heaven Is For Real’ hits (Continued from page 12 ) because God loves you, and you don’t have to do anything more,” she said. “If going to Heaven were only based upon God loving us, there would be no Hell.” For this reason, Pastor Johnson thought that the director could have provided balance by revealing God’s requirement as written in John 3:16. But overall “Heaven Is For Real” www.chicagocrusader.com
is a great movie, and Colton’s parents are forced to examine their beliefs in God and Heaven and really test the faith-based teachings by which they have been living. “Heaven Is For Real” stars Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum, Margo Martindale and Thomas Haden Church and will be released in theaters on April 16. Check your local listings.
Chicago with repeats on Saturday, April 19 at 4:00 a.m.; Saturday, April 20 at midnight; Saturday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m. Taped in an intimate setting before a live audience at Buddy Guy’s Legends Club in the heart of downtown Chicago, this special gives viewers a front row seat not only to Buddy Guy in concert – it also includes candid interviews with Guy as he shares personal stories highlighting his rags to riches journey from Louisiana to Chicago. Before a sold-out crowd, this
concert welcomes audience members and blues fans who have traveled from around the world just to see Buddy Guy perform. In his inimitable style, Buddy delivers some of his greatest hits and signature tunes from his latest 21 track CD entitled “Rhythm and Blues.” From the rhythmic tunes of “Justifyin” and “I Go By Feel” all the way to his blues hit “Meet Me in Chicago,” Buddy treats the audience to a back-to-back, down home taste of what truly makes Chicago the “Home of the Blues.” As a pledge special, this broad-
cast offers an opportunity for supporters to receive an autographed FENDER® Squier® Affinity guitar and a selection of Buddy Guy autographed memorabilia. News reporter Robin Robinson interviews Buddy Guy within this concert special which highlights their lively discussion interspersed throughout the broadcast. “We are very pleased with this two-hour special which highlights the launch of another exciting project,” states Paul Buckner, General Manager for WYCC PBS Chicago.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation recognized for financial . . . agencies and the public that the MWRD’s financial condition and results of operations are fully and
(Continued from page 9 ) fairly presented. The certificates also demonstrate that the MWRD’s budget and Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report is both easily readable and efficiently organized for the reader’s benefit.”
LETTER TO THE EDITOR (Continued from page 4) won’t be impacted by this tax if it is from both sides are uncomfortable implemented. Property owners will with the idea of higher property simply tack it on to the rent and tax. Of course some of the Black probably at a proportion higher Democrats are worried we will vote their behinds out of office if than their bump in taxes. Fortunately many legislators they go along with Rahm’s plan. I BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
really don’t care what the reason is they oppose the mayor on this issue. These men and women need to get back into their districts and talk to the people before they take any vote on this. Serge Williams Saturday, April 12, 2014
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ARTS AND CULTURE
Met Opera clarinetist Anthony McGill soloist with Pacifica Quartet The University of Chicago’s resident ensemble Pacifica Quartet will perform the their third concert in a series of string quartets with clarinetist Anthony McGill as soloist Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. on the University of Chicago Campus. The Pacifica Quartet has gained international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. As the University of Chicago’s Don Michael Randel Ensemble-inResidence, they present performances of works written for string quartet. McGill, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra principal clarinetist and Chicago native, will join the Quartet for a performance of two of the most beloved quintets in the canon: Mozart’s Quintet for clarinet and strings
in A Major, K. 581; and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115. Anthony McGill has been recognized as one of classical music’s finest solo, chamber and orchestral musicians. Before joining the MET Orchestra in 2004, he served as associate principal clarinet of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. On January 20, 2009, McGill performed “Air and Simple Gifts” by John Williams with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and Gabriela Montero at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In 2000, McGill was a winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and in March of 2012 was one of the first three artists to receive the Sphinx Organization’s Medal of Excellence, which were presented at the U.S. Supreme Court. McGill fre-
quently performs with the MET Chamber Ensemble and in January 2012 was featured in the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the MET Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. In May of 2012, he and his brother Demarre McGill, currently principal flute with The Dallas Symphony, were invited by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra where they began their career to be soloists in the world premiere of a concerto for flute and clarinet written for them by Joel Puckett. Anthony McGill currently serves on the faculties of the Juilliard School, the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, Mannes College and Bard College Conservatory of Music. He has given master classes at the Curtis Institute, University of Michigan, SUNY Stony
THIS WEEK in MUSIC HISTORY By Barbara Wright-Pryor April 9 - the 127th birthday of Florence Beatrice Price whose Symphony No. 1 in E minor was performed by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Frederick Stock, conductor, on June 15, 1933, the first time a major orchestra played a work by a Black female composer. Appearing on that historic concert were pianist Margaret Allison Bonds and tenor Roland Hayes.. The concert, entitled “The Negro in Music,” was held at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre during the Century of Progress Exposition, and was underwritten by Maude Roberts George, President of Chicago Music Association, Branch No. 1, NANM, Inc., who
er” Suite during its May 9-15, 2013 “Rivers Festival,” eighty years after the historic 1933 concert. Program notes for “The Mississippi River” were written by this writer, the current president of Chicago Music Association. Visit africlassical.com and Florence Beatrice Price, composer on Facebook for more information.
enting experiences gained from a male perspective about childrearing. A pre-concert lecture with Steven Rings, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies will precede the concert at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 / $5 students and may be purchased by phone at 773702-ARTS or online at ticketsweb.uchicago.edu.
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Brook, Temple University, UCLA, University of New Mexico, Manhattan School of Music, and has been a coach at the Verbier Festival. McGill’s father, Demarre McGill, Sr. recently published “A Father’s Triumphant Story: Raising Successful African American Men in Contemporary Urban Times” (ISBN 978-09888749-1-6) in which he chronicles real-life examples from his own par-
April 9 - the 75th anniversary of the historic Easter Sunday concert performed by famed contralto Marian Anderson on steps of The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. because the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to allow her to perform in Constitution Hall because of her race. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the DAR in protest and helped arrange that historic concert performed at the Lincoln Memorial. Marian Anderson was the recipi-
The Sixth Grace Presbyterian Chancel Choir and guest choristers, Lavonzell Page, director, will present Theodore Dubois’ sacred cantata “The Seven Last Words of Christ” Saturday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m. Joining the choir are soloists are Felicia Coleman-Evans, soprano; Jeffrey Burish, tenor; and Martin Woods, bass. The spoken word text will be narrated by Lorenzo Clemons and Mary Gamble. Guest accompa-
nists are Richard Evans, organ, and Yvonne Lindsey, piano. Dr. Johari Jabaar is musician and The Rev. Alvin L. Bridges in Moderator A reception hosted by the Youth Choir Sponsors will follow the performance in Register Hall. Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church is located at 600 East 35th St. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. For more information, call 312-225-5300.
Marian Anderson (Feb. 27, 1897-April 8, 1993) ent of the first National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM) scholarship that was awarded in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Music Association hosted that historical 1919 convention that led to the founding of NANM, Inc.
IN MEMORIAM – Portia Bailey-Beal
Florence Beatrice Price (Apr. 9, 1888-June 3, 1953) was also the classical music critic for The Chicago Defender. Florence Beatrice Price was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to Chicago in 1927 where she joined the R. Nathaniel Dett Club of Music and Allied Arts in 1928 and the Chicago Music Association in 1932. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed Florence Beatrice Price’s “The Mississippi Riv14
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Anthony McGill
Bailey-Beal, Portia T. 101, composer, pianist, organist, choral director; national music educator, former teacher of music at DuSable High School and Music Supervisor with the Chicago Public Schools, manager of the AME church’s women’s missionary programs, passed away April 2, 2014. Mrs. Bailey-Beal was the wife of the late A. Leon Bailey, Pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church, oldest Black church in Methodism in Chicago and the late Levi Beal. She was the mother of Andrea and Nora Bailey. Services will be held Saturday, April 12, at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2401 S. Wabash Ave. Visitation - 9:00 a.m.; Funeral 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow
Portia T. Bailey Beal the service at Burr Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Quinn Chapel Restoration Fund.
The Black Press is still powerful (Continued from page 3 ) she issued an unprecedented Pardon of Innocence to each member of the Wilmington Ten. Gov. Perdue courageously stated, “This was a case of naked racism.” We are, therefore, grateful to Gov. Perdue for her historic act and for her candor. We are also very grateful to all of the Black newspaper publishers and writers throughout the United States who continue to uphold the proud banner of the Black Press. Let’s us never underestimate the enduring value and respect of all our Black-owned businesses and institutions. Of course, we are always open to constructive criticism and recommendations concerning how to strengthen the economic status of the businesses that are vital to our forward progress. However, it would
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
be a tragic error to assume that because we now have a Black American as President of the United States, there is no longer a need to sustain the very institutions, organizations and businesses that have contributed so much to our progress. I thank God for the powerful Black Press in America. We all should be more supportive of the Black Press, Black Church, HBCUs, and our ongoing struggle for freedom, justice and equality not only for Black Americans, but also for all people across the nation and world. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is president of Education Online Services Corporation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and can be reached for lectures and for other consultations at: www.chicagocrusader.com
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking By Effie Rolfe Lord Don’t Move the Mountain—I believe that some mountains are supposed to be climbed. As Christians, we often want to apply our faith to rebuke the unwanted obstacles and challenges and thrust them into the sea of forgetfulness. However, there are times when being in the valley is God ordained. This revelation really came to mind, while attending a birthday party for my former intern’s grandmother. At the end of the celebration, a special request came for her to sing “Lord Don’t Move the Mountain.” After hearing this classic that once resonated in churches across America, I gave much thought to the lyrics penned by the legendary Inez Andrews. We are taught that part of the Christian maturation process is to ‘Say to the mountain be removed and cast into the sea…’ (Mark 11:23). That is to say, when trouble arises in your
Effie Rolfe life—use your mustard seed faith to start dumping it into the sea. Initially, I couldn’t understand why my former intern’s grandmother, Ms. Rosa Jones, chose to sing this household favorite. Although, Christendom teaches these lyrics are biblically inaccurate—I received a major eye opener that they speak to truth. I was
taught to rebuke any problems that come my way—however, some obstacles can prove more beneficial when left to run the full course. Some church folk might even look at you cross-eyed when you go through as if you did something to bring about this malady. In biblical days— when something was going wrong, everyone looked around for the culprit: cast him out so things would get back on track. Remember Job? His friends provided comfort and consolation during his season of trouble. Yet these same friends later asked him about the “sin” that caused this judgment from God (Job chapters 11-14). Job quickly assured them he had lived a righteous life and Jehovah would vindicate him. Of course, as the story ends—Job was blessed with more than he ever had. Now, let’s get back to the subject of going through. The story of Job is a perfect example that sometimes in this life—you have to Go Through.
We now know that it’s the trials and tribulations that empower us to make us stronger. It is “fire that brings about pure gold (Job 23:10). Lyrics from the late Walter Hawkins’ song “Be Grateful” reminds us that God has not promised us sunshine—that’s not the way it’s going to be—but a little rain, mixed with God’s sunshine—a little pain— makes us appreciate the good times and be grateful. It is “the going through” the good and the bad that allows the making of a better you and me. Human nature doesn’t want to go through—but the lows are just as crucial as the highs. It is in these valley moments you gain strength to climb mountains and use your faith to cast all troubles into the sea. Endurance is another major component that allows you to become more connected to your source, your purpose and God’s perfect plan. Since hearing Mrs. Jones sing, I have a better understanding of Inez An-
drews’ powerful lyrics. Unfortunately, you can’t outgrow the process. So don’t be discouraged when things you have prayed for don’t happen overnight. Perhaps the Lord is telling you there’s no easy way around this one. Just as Jesus prayed three times and asked that the cup of death be removed, he ultimately faced the painful death of the cross. “Not my will but Thy will be done Luke 22:44.” So it is with you and me. Sometimes you gotta’ go through— to become a better you. Prepare to develop your spiritual muscles for a faith-building hike up the mountain of hope. What mountain do you have to climb…? ©Effie Rolfe is the author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” a Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can visit my website: effierolfe.com or follow me at twitter.com/effiedrolfe.
The Crusader Gospel Corner Christ Universal Temple Youth Day took place March 29. The Rev. Derrick Wells is Christ Universal’s pastor. The program included students from DuSable High School and Charles STEM Elementary School. Additional guest speakers included Lauren Ward, a recent graduate of Howard University and Northwestern University; Dr. Lance Williams, professor and assistant director of the Jacob Carruthers Cen-
*** Happy 32nd Pastoral Anniversary to Superintendent Douglas D. Moye, Sr. of Holy Temple Cathedral COGIC. Services that concluded April 4 included guest speakers, Pastor Harrison Bolton, Bishop William Hudson, III, Pastor Willie J. Brown and Rev. Stephen J. Thurston. You are invited to celebrate his leadership. Services take place at 15912 S. Lincoln Avenue in Harvey, 7:30 p.m. For more information call 708-333-9382.
Elijah Thurston. Friday, March 29 was An Evening in Song featuring popular classical singer Rodrick Dixon of the Tenors hosted by Effie Rolfe. The First Generational Choir
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Rev. Derrick Wells ter for Inner City Studies; and Kelli Fair, the founder and director of Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Group. Special guest speaker was Rev. Kevin Ross, a well-regarded motivational speaker who has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Senior Minister at Unity Church in Sacramento, CA. Ross discussed teen suicide, preventing teen pregnancy and keeping youth free of drugs, violence and disease. He also emphasized to the youth that they were put on this earth for a divine purpose, and that they can make it out of any situation. Free lunch was provided by Christ Universal Temple. www.chicagocrusader.com
This weekend, join Shanita Foster, Chicago Patrol Officer and Evangelist who is on a mission to feed the homeless, reach out to seniors, mentoring youth and stop the gun violence through her organization, Solid Rock Outreach Mission Team. Our mission is to win souls to Christ by taking ministry outside the four walls of the church into our neighborhoods moving God’s people from religion to relationship. The next event is this Saturday, April 12 at Lincoln Perry Apartments at 3245 S. Prairie. Refreshments will be served and toiletries will be provided to the senior citizens. There also will be praise dancing.
*** Congratulations to Rev. Stephen J. Thurston and New Covenant Church, 754 E. 77th Street in Chicago who celebrated 80 years “Growing Generations Since 1934.” The ministry remembered the legacy of the 1st generational founding members 1934-1956 under the leadership of the late Pastor
Rev. Stephen Thurston was directed by gospel legend, Dr. Loudella Evans Reid. The services continued through Sunday, March 30th.
*** Come and See M.B. Church, 8333 S. Martin Luther King Drive, invites you to the installation services of Rev. Anthony McSwain, Sr. as Senior Pastor. Special guests for the three-day celebration services will be Rev. Ira Wheaton and Apostle Willis Collins of Dove Covenant Fellowship on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. The final service is Sunday, April 13th at 6 p.m. with Rev. Frank L. McSwain, Sr., Pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. This special service will be held at the Mt. Ridge Baptist Church, 2658 West Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. For more information call 312520-2849 or email: comeandsee8333@ gmail.com.
*** This Saturday, April 12, The Pleasant Green Choir has scheduled a live recording to highlight original children songs written by Shirley J. Rainey and original songs for the Pleasant Green Choir written by Montage Pheloan, Annette “Queenie” Lenox and more. The choir will also climax their church’s 96th Year anniversary. The recording is this Saturday, April 12 at 7545 S. Vincennes in Chicago. Following will be another live recording of Minister Tim White at 7p.m. A special guest is scheduled to appear. White is cohost with Kathy Lockett—The Queen of Quartets which airs each Saturday morning on WGRB—Inspiration 1390 AM. The admission is free.
ry Marshall and First Lady Jacqueline Marshall of 7359 S. Chappell Chicago. For more information call 773-386-8941.
*** Please remember to pray for Shirley Caesar and her family, for her sister “GG” has recently passed away. Also, condolences to Sandra Robinson and family in the loss of
*** William Smith, Jr. and Renewed Voices for Christ on Good Friday will perform April 18 at 11:30 p.m. for their 24th Annual Midnight Musical. Special guests will appear along with the RVC. Refreshments will be served before and after the musical at True Light Church Baptist, 7300 S. Maryland Avenue in Chicago.
*** On Saturday, April 19, Prophetess Rosemary Blackwell and Standing in The Gap Ministry will spread the Word of God’s resurrection power. Featuring Evangelist Margaret Harrison, Mother Rosemary Blackwell and many more. The speaker will be Pastor Virginia Miller of Power House Ministries at Nehemiah Urban Church, host Pastor Bishop Ro-
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Shirley Caesar her mother, Ms. Mary Jones. The services are Thursday, April 10 at Apostolic Church of God, 63rd and Dorchester in Chicago. The wake is at 10 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11a.m.
*** Happy Birthday comedian Ron Baker, Jr. (April 8). You’re invited to the Ron Baker, Jr. Comedy Show featuring an all start comedian lineup. The show is scheduled at Prairie State College on April 11 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Special musical guest is Meagan McNeal. Tickets available at eventbrite.com. Saturday, April 12, 2014
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HEALTH
In-home health care through EntireCare for seniors
EntireCare Coordinated Care Entity (CCE), a new in-home-care service, which provides services to Medicaid insured persons, age 55 and older, hosted an open house March 22, 2014 at 200 E. 75th St. in Chicago. EntireCare is a division of the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois and is one of the Innovation Projects of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). It is designed to provide community based, patient centered care coordination, based on a full assessment of one’s physical, emotional and social needs. The ultimate objective is to keep the Medicaid insured as healthy as possible and make the primary care physician the principal source for healthcare instead of the emergency
room.
Seniors learned how EntireCare can help them become more compliant with stay healthy measures to reduce unnecessary emergency home visits and preventable hospitalizations. The services can be provided within the senior’s homes. Doctors were on site providing health advice, free massages and chiropractor advice. Gift cards, line dancing instruction and food were presented to the community. EntireCare is in partnership with doctors, hospitals and other providers to insure Medicaid insured clients get what they need to stay healthy. The providers continue to bill the Human Family Services (HFS) directly for their services.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF 31st District Mary E. Flowers and Louanner Peters (Executive Director of EntireCare Coordination CCE).
DIANE GLENN (Care Manager) & Malik Brown (Patient Navigator) assisting patients with information about staying healthy.
DR. RONALD SAM discussing health care information to an EntireCare member.
LOUANNER PETERS IS leading EntireCare members in the room to visit Dr. Ronald Sam.
8th Annual Pin-A-Sister ribbon pinning event More Black and Latino women die from breast cancer than white women, even though more white
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women are diagnosed with the disease. Register for Access Community Health Network’s 8th Annual Pin-A-Sister™/ Examinate Comadre™ ribbon-pinning event to help raise breast cancer awareness. Faith-based and community organizations from around the city, state, nation and globally will join on or around Mother’s Day, May 11, 2014, (May 10 in Mexico) to recognize those affected by breast cancer. To register, visit the website at www.pinasister.com or call Paulina Guzman at 312.526.2087. BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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HOUSES FOR SALE
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was filed by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number D14137539 on March 28, 2014. Under the Assumed Business Name of JOHNSON HEALTHCARE SERVICES with the business located at 10916 S. Sangamon St., Chicago IL 60643. The true name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partners(s)Full Name is: DONNA MARIE JOHNSON, Complete Address 10916 S. SANGAMON ST., Chicago, IL 60643, USA. 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 2014
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HOUSES FOR SALE
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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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COMMUNITY
Nonprofits benefit from ComEd’s volunteers ComEd demonstrated its ongoing participation to National Volunteer Week on Monday, April 7 by sending a crew of about 15 volunteers to help clean up the area at 2240 W. 62nd St. of the 16th Ward. Those volunteers got a head start on the week of service which officially began April 8. ComEd officials said the corporation will continue its commitment to service by lending more than 30 volunteer events to plant trees, clean up parks, mentor students, build homes and fill food pantry shelves in observance of National Volunteer Week. “ComEd is a purpose-driven company,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO, ComEd. “Service is a part of our DNA, it’s what drives us. For decades, ComEd has sup-
ported education, environmental stewardship and community-building efforts throughout the region. Everything we do is aimed at building a stronger, more sustainable future.” National Volunteer Week is an annual, nationwide movement that encourages individuals and organizations to improve communities through volunteer service. Now in its eighth consecutive year, ComEd employees will organize community service projects during National Volunteer Week and throughout the month of April. ComEd and its parent company Exelon recognize National Volunteer Week by empowering employee volunteers to design their service projects and recruit others to participate.
COMED VOLUNTEERS WERE joined by Alderman JoAnn Thompson (center) to clean up the area around Earle STEM Elementary School to celebrate National Volunteer Week. ComEd employees, family members will include employee-led service ny (ComEd) is a unit of Chicagoand friends are expected to provide projects from all of Exelon’s businesses, based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: more than 2,100 hours of volunteer including: PECO in southeastern EXC), the nation’s leading competiservice throughout more than 30 ser- Pennsylvania, Constellation and BGE tive energy provider, with approxivice projects. Exelon also will host in Maryland, and Exelon Generation mately 6.6 million customers. more than 150 volunteer events, in and Exelon Business Services Compa- ComEd provides service to approxiobservance of National Volunteer ny in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and mately 3.8 million customers across Texas. Month. northern Illinois, or 70 percent of Commonwealth Edison Compa- the state’s population. ComEd, National Volunteer Week
COMED VOLUNTEERS CLEANED up the area around Earle STEM Elementary School in Englewood to celebrate National Volunteer Week on Monday, April 7.
California Park athletes share the ice with an Olympian Youth from the Chicago Park District’s synchronized skating team, Chicago Skates, will participate in American Ice Theatre’s spring concert “Let’s Dance!” Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at the McFetridge Sports Center in California Park,
The Chicago Park District ice skaters will perform as part of a program that includes the AIT ensemble and guest stars such as 2014 Olympic Team Bronze medalist Jason Brown and 2011 U.S. Men’s Champion Ryan Bradley.
18 who participate in regional and national competitions, including the U.S. Figure Skating Midwestern/Pacific Synchronized Skating Championships. For more information on this and other programs, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or
McFetridge Sports Center in California Park 3843 N. California Ave. General admission tickets are $30; VIP seating is $60. Tickets are available at americanicetheatre.org. American Ice Theatre (AIT) is a new contemporary ice dance company in Chicago. www.chicagocrusader.com
Athletes in the Chicago Park District’s synchronized skating program have been training at McFetridge Sports Center in California Park for almost 25 years. The Chicago Skates team that is performing at “Let’s Dance” consists of skaters ages 12 -
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call 312-742-PLAY (7529). AIT is a non-profit dance on ice company comprised of accomplished and nationally recognized figure skaters. Their mission is to infuse the art of dance to the ice by presenting contemporary and sophisticated work. Saturday, April 12, 2014
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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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